Page 73 of Malachi
“Yes, really. Just be honest with him. It’s hard, but I promise you, it’s the best way to go about it.” Ruth’s words were like a soothing balm on my aching soul.
“This is all just so new. I’m so much younger than Malachi, and I feel so inferior when it comes to all of this.”
“You may be younger than he is, Eden, but I promise you hold more power than you realize.” Once again, Ruth was the voice of reason in my insecurity.
“What the fuck!?” Naomi’s voice suddenly pierced through the phone, interrupting our conversation.
“Naomi?” Ruth called.
“Naomi, are you there?” I echoed, dread re-situating itself deep in my stomach like a rock.
“Oh my god, Gideon!” Naomi’s voice screamed.
“Naomi! What’s happening?” Ruth screamed right back.
“Get back inside!” The sound of a man yelling shocked me, shocked all of us, into silence.
“Naomi, who is that?” I asked, fear and anxiety roiling around in my stomach until I felt sick with it.
“Naomi?” Talia tried again, her voice soft and even. I did not know how she could manage that calm. I was freaking out, pacing a hole in the floor, wondering what in the ever-loving hell was happening.
“It’s the Elders,” Naomi’s voice finally choked out with a sob. “They have brought our husbands here. And —”
“And what?” Ruth implored.
“They are burning the Ataraxia to the ground.”
“Oh my God, they are doingwhat?” Delilah exclaimed in a hushed whisper.
“Naomi, what are Gideon and Levi doing?” Ruth asked. Her voice sounded calm and clear. She was the kind of person who knew exactly what to do in a crisis. If anything could be considered a full-blown crisis, it was this.
“They are holding them back,” Naomi sobbed quietly.
“Hang up the phone, but before you do, remember your mask. You are to play the fool here. Play the part, Naomi. We’re here. We’re right there with you,” Ruth guided her. In only a moment, the sound of a click rang through the phone, signaling that Naomi had hung up.
“What in the actual fuck?” Delilah breathed out heavily.
What in the fuck, indeed.
CHAPTER19
MALACHI
It was all falling to pieces, faster than I could have imagined. I held my tongue as I watched my brother’s beloved boat go up in flames. Naomi, much to her credit, had stayed inside the house as she had been told to do. I could only imagine what she was feeling. Lost. Helpless. Terrified.
Every one of those emotions echoed inside of me. Half of me wanted to go to my brother, to protect him from this horrible atrocity. The other half of me wanted to hightail it home, pack up my things and my wife, and get the fuck out of Dodge. Of course, neither of those options were actually possible. Instead, I stood there, two Elder’s hands pressed against my chest as they held each of us back and forced us to watch the boat burn to the ground.
It was a ploy, a way to force us into submission and remind us of what was at stake, were we not to go along with their plans. The fact that this had happened to Gideon was no oversight or quick decision on their part. Gideon had fucked up. Big time.
“Do we have any more questions?” The Reverend’s voice sounded strong and unyielding over the crackle of burning wood and clattering debris.
“No questions at all, Reverend,” I answered coolly, keeping my voice even and letting the rage fester and swirl below the surface, where it was safe.
“Gideon?” Father’s voice snarled. He was holding Gideon by the front of his shirt, the fabric caught in his fists as he all but spat in my youngest brother’s face.
“No questions at all, Sir,” Gideon answered dutifully.
“Good. Seeing as there are no more questions, we will leave you to it. Leviticus, I expect you to make sure there will be no further issues. Understood?” Father sneered.
